jesus sends power from god… · jesus sends power from god . acts 2:1-21. u bible point . god...

179

Lesson 13Infants, Toddlers & 2s Spring Quarter

Lesson 13

Jesus Sends Power From God Acts 2:1-21

u Bible Point God gives us the Holy Spirit.

Key Verse“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26).

Weaving Faith Into Life Children will discover that God sent the Holy Spirit to be their friend and helper.

I nfants, toddlers, and 2-year-olds can understand the comforting power of your arms when you pick them up or your reassurance after they’ve fallen down and hurt

themselves. You can help your little ones understand the Holy Spirit as a person that “helps us feel better.”

INFANT

LESSON WHAT CHILDREN DO SUPPLIES EASY PREP

1

Getting Started

Sing and CelebrateListen to praise songs.

CD playerTeacher Pack: CD

2

Bible Exploration

Where Is the Holy Spirit?See a picture of the disciples praying, and experience the wind that brought the Holy Spirit.

Teacher Pack:“God Sends the Holy Spirit” teachingpicture

3

Weaving Faith

Into Life

A Holy Spirit PrayerHear about the Holy Spirit.


The Blowing WindWave a paper fan to make a breeze.

simple, accordion-folded paper fan

Weaving Faith at HomeTake home their “Growing With Jesus” pages.

My Bible Snuggles or 1 copy per child of the “Growing With Jesus” page (at the end of the lesson)

Remove the Lesson 13 pages from each My Bible Snuggles student book.

Bold text within the lesson is spoken text.

Lesson 13 Infants, Toddlers & 2sSpring Quarter

180

TODDLER


1

Getting Started

Sing and CelebrateSing or listen to praise songs.


2

Bible Exploration

Like a Mighty WindCreate a wind to blow a tissue fringe.

Bible, tapeTeacher Pack: “God Sends the Holy Spirit” teaching picture, tissue fringe

Tape the tissue fringe to the teaching picture to represent the flames of fire in the wind.

3

Weaving Faith

Into Life

Windy MovementsMove like animals to the rhythm of the wind.


A Windy HeavenTape streamers to their pictures.

orange and red crepe paper, scissors, tape, My Bible Snuggles or 1 copy per child of “The Holy Spirit” page (at the end of the lesson)

Remove the Lesson 13 pages from each My Bible Snuggles student book. Cut orange and red crepe paper into thin strips.

Weaving Faith at Home Take home their “Growing With Jesus” pages.



181

Infants, Toddlers & 2s Lesson 13 Spring Quarter

2-YEAR-OLD


1

Getting Started

Sing and CelebrateSing or listen to praise songs.

CD player, blocksTeacher Pack: CD

2

Bible Exploration

The Holy Spirit Is HerePray like the people in the Bible passage, and pretend to be the wind that brought the Holy Spirit.

Bible, tapeTeacher Pack: “God Sends the Holy Spirit” teaching picture, tissue fringe


3

Weaving Faith

Into Life

A Windy InstrumentMake blowers to hum with the wind music.

My Bible Snuggles or 1 copy per child of “The Holy Spirit” page (at the end of the lesson), CD player, construction paper, scissors, tapeTeacher Pack: CD

Remove the Lesson 13 pages from each My Bible Snuggles student book. Cut thin strips (about 1/2 inch wide by 6 inches long) from various colors of construction paper.

Fly With the WindUse “wind praisers” as they listen to the sound of the wind.

CD player, masking tape, three 18-inch ribbons per childTeacher Pack: CD

Make “wind praisers” for your children. Tape each set of 3 ribbons together at one end with masking tape.

Weaving Faith at HomeTake home their “Growing With Jesus” pages.



BIBLe BACKGROUND FOR LEADERS


182

Jesus Sends Power From GodActs 2:1-21

Passover

Fifty days after the Passover celebration, the Jews celebrated the Feast of Weeks, otherwise known as Pentecost. Jerusalem was crowded with Jews from many surrounding areas who had gathered in the holy city for the feast. Many spoke languages other than the Aramaic and Greek that were most common in Palestine at that time. God set the stage for a miraculous display of his power through the Holy Spirit.

We could take a long time discussing the sound, the tongues of fire, and who was present for all this as described in Acts 2:1-3, but what’s important to glean from this passage is that the Holy Spirit came upon Christians in a new and powerful way, enabling them to better spread the good news about Jesus. They were filled with God’s Holy Spirit.

Speaking in Other Tongues?

We could also take a long time explaining the term “speak in other tongues” (Acts 2:4), but instead we’ll simply examine the event described in this passage. The disciples were able to speak so that people from many different nations could hear them in their respective languages. Speaking in a language that the speaker had never learned does not necessarily mean that what is spoken is a message from God. In this passage, however, we’re given the evidence to verify God as the source of the message: The disciples were “declaring the wonders of God.”

Peter: A Changed Man

Notice who takes the lead in verse 14 and the powerful message he gives. Could this be the same Peter who, only seven weeks earlier, had three times denied even knowing Jesus? The same Peter who had hidden with the other disciples behind locked

doors for fear? Indeed it is. Peter’s experience with the risen Christ and his being filled with the Holy Spirit made Peter a new person.

The Jesus Connection

Peter had no delusions about the source of the power. God sent the Holy Spirit to empower his people to further his kingdom. Jesus had told his followers before he ascended to heaven that they were to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to come upon them. They needed the power of the Holy Spirit to spread the good news.

When God has something big for us to do, he’ll empower us to do it. And God may use us in remarkable ways if we’re willing to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Pray and ask God how he wants to use your life for his glory. Trust him to empower you to accomplish his plans. You can write your prayer here.

183


INFANT

GETTING STARTED

Sing and Celebrate

What You’ll Do Sing “Blow, Blow, Blow the Wind” (track 10 on the CD) to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” anytime during the lesson. Hold a baby on your lap and bounce gently to the rhythm of the song. At the end of the song, blow lightly on baby’s face or hands. Most babies will enjoy this “breezy” sensation and may begin to giggle.

Blow, blow, blow the wind,Blow strong if you can.God sent us the Holy SpiritLike a mighty wind. (Repeat.)

Afterward, say: GOD GIVES US THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Sing “God Gave the Holy Spirit” (not on the CD) to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” anytime during the lesson. Follow the motions as you sing.

God gave us the Holy Spirit, (move the baby’s hands back and forth in wavelike motions)

Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit. (continue to move the baby’s hands in wavelike motions)God gave us the Holy Spirit (point up; then move the baby’s hands back and forth in

wavelike motions)To always be with us. (put the baby’s arms around himself or herself)


2 BIBLE EXPLORATION

Where Is the Holy Spirit?

What You’ll Do As you hold each baby on your lap, point to the disciples in the teaching picture.

Say: Here are Jesus’ friends. They’re praying and waiting for God to send the

Sing and CelebrateSupplies

CD playerTeacher PackCD: “Blow, Blow, Blow the Wind” (track 10)

Sing and CelebrateEasy Prep

Remove the Lesson 13 pages from each My Bible Snuggles student book

Where Is the Holy Spirit?Supplies

Teacher Pack “God Sends the Holy Spirit” teaching picture


184

Holy Spirit. I wonder when the Holy Spirit will come. GOD GIVES US THE HOLY SPIRIT. Here he comes.

Curl your middle fingers into the palm of one hand, with your thumb and little finger pointing out. Starting from up in the air, pretend your hand is a bird flying down. At the same time, blow a gentle breeze toward the baby’s face, and then tickle him or her gently. Pray out loud for babies as you hold them.

Say: Thank you, God, for little [child’s name]. Thank you for your Holy Spirit who is here with us now. In Jesus’ name, amen.

3 WEAVING FAITH INTO LIFE

A Holy Spirit Prayer

What You’ll Do Play “Wind Sounds” (track 11 on the CD).

Lay a baby on his or her back in front of you. As you listen to the sounds of the wind, gently move the baby’s hands as you do the motions indicated and say the words of this prayer.

Pray: Holy Spirit blow around me (blow gently toward the baby’s face)And teach me to obey. (walk two fingers up baby’s legs to reach his or her chest or

neck)Let me know that you are here (slowly move your fingers while holding your hands

above baby’s head; then move your fingers toward his or her tummy)To be with me always. (tickle baby’s tummy)

Say: GOD GIVES US THE HOLY SPIRIT.

The Blowing Wind

What You’ll Do Show the baby how to move the fan to make a breeze. Then put the fan in his or her hand, and let baby wave the fan at you.

Say: You’re blowing me! That wind reminds us of when the Holy Spirit came to the first church! Wave it more. GOD GIVES US THE HOLY SPIRIT.

A Holy Spirit PrayerSupplies

CD playerTeacher PackCD: “Wind Sounds” (track 11)

The Blowing WindSupplies

simple, accordion-folded paper fan

185


Weaving Faith at Home Have children take home their “Growing With Jesus” pages. Encourage parents to do the activities with children to help them grow with Jesus. By working together and focusing on the same goals, you and parents can help children weave faith into their lives!

Talk to your Director about emailing the FREE FamilyConnect to all your church’s families. Available at group.com/digital.

TODDLER

GETTING STARTED

Sing and Celebrate

What You’ll Do Sing “Blow, Blow, Blow the Wind” (track 10 on the CD) to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” anytime during the lesson. Hold a toddler on your lap and bounce gently to the rhythm of the song. At the end of the song, encourage the toddler to blow with you.

Blow, blow, blow the wind,Blow strong if you can.God sent us the Holy SpiritLike a mighty wind. (everyone blows as hard as he or she can)(Repeat.)


Sing “God Gave the Holy Spirit” (not on the CD) to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” anytime during the lesson. Toddlers love one-on-one cuddling. Hold a child in your lap with his or her back to you so that your arms reach around to guide his or her hands. This will create a stronger connection to the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit at the end of the song.

God gave us the Holy Spirit, (move the child’s hands back and forth in wavelike motions)

Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit. (continue to move the child’s hands in wavelike motions)God gave us the Holy Spirit (point up; then move the child’s hands back and forth in

wavelike motions)To always be with us. (put the child’s arms around himself or herself)


Weaving Faith at HomeSupplies


Weaving Faith at HomeEasy Prep

Remove the Lesson 13 pages from each My Bible Snuggles student book


CD playerTeacher Pack:CD: “Blow, Blow, Blow the Wind” (track 10)


186

2 BIBLE EXPLORATION

Like a Mighty Wind

What You’ll Do Share the Bible passage with groups of two or three toddlers at a time. Open your Bible to Acts 2. Show children the words, and tell them the Bible is God’s special book. Hold up the teaching picture with the tissue fringe taped to it. If you have one child at a time on your lap, allow him or her to hold the picture.

Point to the disciples as you talk.

Say: Jesus told his friends that he would send the Holy Spirit to be with them. So his friends waited and prayed for the Holy Spirit to come. Let’s pray like his friends are doing. Have the children put their hands together and pray. Jesus, please send your Holy Spirit. Amen. Encourage the children to say “amen” with you.

Say: Then the sound of wind began. Begin to blow softly toward the tissue fringe on the picture. Blow stronger for emphasis as you continue. The sound of wind grew, and it grew. Then the Holy Spirit came like a big wind and gave all of Jesus’ friends power. GOD GIVES US THE HOLY SPIRIT to help us. Invite the children to help you blow the tissue fringe. Let’s thank Jesus for his power. Thank you, Jesus, for the power of your Holy Spirit. In your name, amen.


Windy Movements

What You’ll Do Listen to “Wind Sounds” (track 11 on the CD). Clear a large area in your room for a safe place to be active without running into tables or chairs. Show the children how to hop like a bunny, walk like a dog, crawl like a lizard, and strut like a horse to the varied rhythms of the wind sounds.

Say: Listen to that mighty wind blow! Every time we hear the wind we can remember that GOD GIVES US THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Like a Mighty Wind Supplies

Bible tapeTeacher Pack“God Sends the Holy Spirit” teaching picture

tissue fringe

Like a Mighty Wind Easy Prep


Windy Movements Supplies

CD playerTeacher PackCD: “Wind Sounds” (track 11)

187


A Windy Heaven

What You’ll Do Give each child a “The Holy Spirit” page. Let children tape strips of crepe paper onto their own pictures.

Say: We can’t see the wind blowing, but it moves big clouds in the sky. We can’t see the Holy Spirit, but he came to the church like a mighty wind. GOD GIVES US THE HOLY SPIRIT. Let each child show you how he or she can blow the crepe paper streamer and make a wind like the wind that brought the Holy Spirit.

Weaving Faith at Home Have children take home their “Growing With Jesus” pages. Encourage parents to do the activities with children to help them grow with Jesus. By working together and focusing on the same goals, you and parents can help children weave faith into their lives!


2-YEAR-OLD

GETTING STARTED

Sing and Celebrate

What You’ll Do Sing “Blow, Blow, Blow the Wind” (track 10 on the CD) to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” anytime during the lesson. Hold a child on your lap and bounce gently to the rhythm of the song. At the end of the song, encourage the child to blow with you.

Blow, blow, blow the wind,Blow strong if you can.God sent us the Holy SpiritLike a mighty wind. (everyone blows as hard as he or she can)(Repeat.)


Sing “God Gave the Holy Spirit” (not on the CD) to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” anytime during the lesson. Have children sit in a circle. Give each child a block to give to a friend sitting nearby as you sing the word gave. This will reinforce children’s

A Windy Heaven Supplies

orange and red crepe paper

scissorstapeMy Bible Snuggles or 1 copy per child of “The Holy Spirit” page (at the end of the lesson)

A Windy Heaven Easy Prep

Remove the Lesson 13 pages from each My Bible Snuggles student book. Cut orange and red crepe paper into thin strips.

Weaving Faith at Home Supplies



CD playerblocksTeacher PackCD: “Blow, Blow, Blow the Wind” (track 10)


188

understanding of giving and connect it with God giving us the Holy Spirit. Likewise, as you sing the words with us, have the children scoot closer to each other or toward you.

God gave us the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit.God gave us the Holy SpiritTo always be with us.


2 BIBLE EXPLORATION

The Holy Spirit Is Here

What You’ll Do Have children sit down around you. Open your Bible to Acts 2. Show children the words, and tell them the Bible is God’s special book.

Hold up the teaching picture “God Sends the Holy Spirit” with the tissue fringe taped to it. Point to the disciples as you talk.

Say: Jesus is alive and we can believe in him. But Jesus stayed with his friends for only a little while. Then he went to make a special home for his friends. Jesus’ friends were very sad to see him go, but Jesus said he would send the Holy Spirit to be with them. He told them the Holy Spirit would teach them how to tell others about him. Jesus’ friends believed him, so they waited. Stop talking and wait.

Jesus’ friends prayed for the Holy Spirit to come while they were waiting. Let’s pray like they’re doing in this picture. Ask the children to share things they would like to pray about. Pray a short prayer about each thing they mention. Encourage the children to say “In Jesus’ name, amen” with you at the end of each short prayer.

We prayed together just like Jesus’ friends prayed together. As they prayed they waited for God to answer. The sound of wind began. Begin to blow softly toward the tissue fringe on the picture; then blow stronger for emphasis as you continue. The sound of wind grew and grew. Blow toward the children, too. The Holy Spirit came like a big, big wind. It was the answer to their prayers! The Holy Spirit came to be with Jesus’ friends forever. Invite children to help you blow the tissue fringe as hard as they can.

Imagine what it felt like to be blown by the Holy Spirit. Have the children stand and pretend to be blown by the wind. The wind has lots of power. It can blow our bodies around. The Holy Spirit has lots of power, too. He’s always with us.

GOD GIVES US THE HOLY SPIRIT today, too. Let’s thank Jesus for his power.

The Holy Spirit Is Here Supplies

BibletapeTeacher Pack“God Sends the Holy Spirit” teaching picture

tissue fringe

The Holy Spirit Is Here Easy Prep


189


Have children bow their heads and fold their hands. Thank you, Jesus, for the power of your Holy Spirit. In your name, amen.


A Windy Instrument

What You’ll Do Play “Wind Sounds” (track 11 on the CD), and listen to the wind. Give each child a “The Holy Spirit” page. Help children tape thin strips of colored construction paper to the bottom of their papers. Show children how to roll the handout from left to right into a tube and tape it. Blow through one to show children how the air moves the paper streamers at the end. Let them blow and hum to the sounds on the CD.

Say: The Holy Spirit came to Jesus’ friends like the rush of the wind. GOD GIVES US THE HOLY SPIRIT to be with us and to be our friend.

Fly With the Wind

What You’ll Do Play “Wind Sounds” (track 11 on the CD). Give each child one of the wind praisers you made beforehand.

Say: You can praise God while you twirl your wind praisers around to sounds. While you are enjoying the wind, thank God because GOD GIVES US THE HOLY SPIRIT.

As a variation, play Hot and Cold. From time to time, stop the CD and say “cold.” Have the children freeze like snowmen in a cold wind. Then start the CD again, and say “hot,” and have them melt and swirl around like a hot breeze.

A Windy Instrument Supplies

My Bible Snuggles or 1 copy per child of “The Holy Spirit” page (at the end of the lesson)

CD playerconstruction paperscissors tapeTeacher PackCD: “Wind Sounds” (track 11)

A Windy Instrument Easy Prep

Remove the Lesson 13 pages from each My Bible Snuggles student book. Cut thin strips (about 1/2 inch wide by 6 inches long) from various colors of construction paper.

Fly With the Wind Supplies

CD playermasking tapethree 18-inch ribbons per child

Teacher PackCD: “Wind Sounds” (track 11)

Fly With the Wind Easy Prep

Make “wind praisers” for your children. Tape each set of ribbons together at one end with masking tape.


190

Weaving Faith at HomeHave children take home their “Growing With Jesus” pages. Encourage parents to do the activities with children to help them grow with Jesus. By working together and focusing on the same goals, you and parents can help children weave faith into their lives!


Weaving Faith at Home Supplies


191

Infants, Toddlers & 2s Spring QuarterLesson 13

Y our child learned that God gives us the Holy Spirit (from Acts 2:1-21). Your child participated in one of the following activities today. You can use these activities with

your child to help your child grow with Jesus throughout the week.

Growing With Jesus HOME CONNECT®

INFANT

The Blowing Wind

Make a simple, accordion-folded paper fan, and show your baby how to move it to make a breeze. Then put the fan in his or her hand, and let your baby wave the fan at you.

Say: You’re blowing me! That wind is like when the Holy Spirit came to the first church! Wave it some more. God gives us the Holy Spirit.

TODDLER

A Windy Heaven

Give your child a piece of paper, a blue crayon, and a piece of streamer or tissue. Help your child “color” clouds on the paper and then glue one edge of the streamer to the paper.

Say: We can’t see the wind blowing, but it moves big clouds in the sky. We can’t see the Holy Spirit, but he came to the church like a mighty wind. God gives us the Holy Spirit. Let your child show you how he or she can blow the streamer and make a wind like the wind that brought the Holy Spirit.

2-YEAR-OLD

Fly With the Wind

Make a wind praiser for your child by taping three long ribbons together at one end. Play some praise music in the background.

Say: You can praise God while you twirl your wind praisers around to the music. While you are enjoying the wind, thank God for giving us the Holy Spirit.

Comforting Arms

Children turn to us for comfort when they are hurt or afraid. Our arms and voices bring a sense of security and love to our children. While children are young, we can teach them to pray when comfort is needed. This will make it natural for children to turn to God when the hurts and fears of life seem overwhelming. As you provide comfort, remember that the Holy Spirit comforts both you and your child.

! OK TO COPY

Use these ideas to help your child become a FaithWeaver: n Teach your child about praying together as Jesus’ friends did by encouraging your child to say

“amen” with you when you pray. n Grab a blanket and snuggle together. Tell your child that the Holy Spirit is also known as the

Comforter. He makes us feel snuggled and cared for. n Put milk or juice in a cup that has a lid with a hole for a straw. Get a straw and cup for yourself

as well. Encourage your child to blow. Have fun blowing the air into your cups together. Watch the bubbles that form. Talk about how we can’t see the air we blow, but we can see what it does. We can’t see the Holy Spirit, but we see what he does in the world.


192

The Holy Spirit

! OK TO COPYIllustrated by Nancy Munger.

jesus sends power from god… · jesus sends power from god . acts 2:1-21. u bible point . god...

Documents